We're off to Narnia! (Giveaway to get you on board!)

Hurray! I so look forward to this challenge every year because going to Narnia is not only entertaining, but I find it energizing. C.S. Lewis was a master storyteller and the way he wove scriptural truths into this series bolsters my own faith.

Once upon a time I read the Chronicles of Narnia in a week. So if you look on my sidebar here you'll see a label for "Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge" and a "Narnia Week." My more thoughtful posts are definitely under "Narnia Week" but I am hoping to dig a little deeper during this particular month, focusing my entire time and attention on Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

You should know that I approach The Chronicles of Narnia believing them to be written, as Doug Wilson calls it in his audio lecture series, What I Learned in Narnia, a "great supposal." Suppose Christ were to have entered into another world and suppose He had another name? I don't believe that C.S. Lewis wrote these books to be an allegory, but I do believe he wrote them to introduce children to the concepts of Christianity. I explained why I think that when I was reading Narnia back in 2008.

That explained, I've decided to read through Voyage of the Dawn Treader in conjunction with my reading of the Book of Proverbs and I want to see what can parts of this book illustrate Biblical principles. Not that C.S. Lewis intended this, mind you. I just want to do it. Why? Because I think that sometimes we can best learn how to live through stories (hence, Jesus told parables) and I think there are some good Biblical illustrations in the Narnia series. I'm choosing Voyage of the Dawn Treader primarily because the movie is due to release in December and I want to make sure I have a good grasp on it before I see it. =)

In the meantime, I invite you to come along this journey for pleasure and entertainment! Bring your kids! I found a few light chapter book adaptations that I'll be reading through with Bookworm1. I'll be sharing more about those as we go along.

For a synopsis of the Chronicles of Narnia books you can click on that link and it will take you to a brief description of each of the books in the series.

But what's a challenge without a prize, right? (That always makes it more fun.)

I've decided to split things up. To help get you into the challenge I have TWO gently used copies of The Magician's Nephew to give away to two of you. This is the first book in the series, chronologically speaking. Lewis wrote The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe first, but if you want to understand Narnia history better, it's best to start with The Magician's Nephew.

Then! At the conclusion of the challenge, I have some Narnia gift books, guide books and fun Narnia things to giveaway which I'll tell you about later. The only thing I'll say on that for now is: The more you read, the more chances you have to win!

This challenge will run for the whole month of July. Of course, I would love it if you let us know that you plan on participating in the challenge. On Friday, July 30th I will conclude the challenge with a post wherein you can link up all of your Narnia related posts from this month. I'll draw a winner from THAT post to determine who will win the "Narnia Prize Package."

In order win a copy of The Magician's Nephew simply leave a comment on THIS post and I'll announce the winner next Friday, July 9th. This contest is open to U.S. Residents AND Canadians. (Because I just can't see leaving the Canadians out of RtK's two reading challenges!)

The main point of this challenge: HAVE FUN!

Further Up and Further In!